Sailor admits submarine killing

19 September 2011 Last updated at 07:53 ET

Ryan Donovan admitted murder and three counts of attempted murder

A Royal Navy serviceman who shot dead a senior officer on board a nuclear submarine has pleaded guilty to murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Able Seaman Ryan Samuel Donovan, admitted killing Lt Cdr Ian Molyneux, 36, of Wigan, Greater Manchester, on board the nuclear submarine HMS Astute.

A second crewman, Lt Cdr Christopher Hodge, was also shot while the sub was docked in Southampton on 8 April.

Donovan, 22, of Dartford, Kent, pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court.

Donovan fired six shots from an SA80 rifle in the control room as local dignitaries, including Southampton City Council’s mayor, chief executive and leader, were being given a tour of HMS Astute.

He was wrestled to the ground and disarmed by city council leader Royston Smith.

Father of four Lt Cdr Ian Molyneux, 36, was killed

‘Utterly devoted’

Eleven children were on the quayside at the time and were due to board the submarine.

Donovan, of Hillside Road, admitted the attempted murders of Petty Officer Christopher Brown, 36, Chief Petty Officer David McCoy, 37, and Lt Cdr Hodge, 45.

He is currently in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.

Lt Cdr Molyneux’s widow, Gillian, described her husband as “utterly devoted” to his children Jamie, Arron, Bethany and Charlie.

The submarine was berthed at the Eastern Docks on a five-day official visit.

The 97m (318ft)-long craft is the UK’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine.

It was named and launched by the Duchess of Cornwall in June 2007 before being welcomed into the Royal Navy in August last year.

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